How to Fix a Drum Bearing Failure on a Maytag Washer

Safety

• Before you begin the repair, you must disconnect the electricity running to the washing machine. This can be as simple as unplugging the power cord from the wall outlet. However, if the washer is hardwired into the home’s electrical system you need to flip the appropriate breaker or fuse to prevent the current from running through the appliance.

Disassembling The Top

• Turn the water running to the washer off by twisting the water supply knobs before you begin disassembling the top. Typically, these knobs are located near or behind the washer. Once the water is turned off, remove the drain line and water hose, draining any water remaining in the hoses into a bucket. Slide a putty knife in the seam between the top of the machine and the face of the cabinet while lifting the knife up with your hand. After the top of the washer is up, remove the tub rings by pressing the tub ring clips until they free the ring. Remove the washer agitator by unscrewing the screw located at the bottom of the agitator with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Lift the agitator up and out of the washer to expose the spanner nut.

Spanner Nut and Stem

• Remove the spanner nut at the bottom of the washer stem with a spanner nut wrench after loosening the nut with spray lubricant. Under the spanner nut is a cone-shape piece you must lift off the stem. Grab the sides of the spin drum and carefully lift it up and out of the washing machine. Find the screw near the bottom of the washing machine stem and remove it with a Torx T20 screwdriver. Place the spanner nut wrench on the stem and tap the end of the wrench clockwise with the hammer or mallet. There should be a rubber piece on the stem and a seal you can remove by turning it until you can lift it off the stem. Remove the old rubber located around the bearing carefully with a utility knife. Cover the old bearing with a liberal amount of spray lubricant.

Washer Tub

• In order to remove the washer tub you must loosen the three screws located at the bottom of the tub. To do this, place a 1/2-inch wrench on the screw head and a 1/2-inch socket wrench on the back of the screw. The 1/2-inch wrench keeps the screw head in place while you loosen the screw with the socket wrench. Once you remove the three screws, grasp the sides of the tub and lift it up but not out of the washer cabinet. At this point, the water-level hose is still connected to the tub. Lay the tub at an angle on the washer cabinet and carefully disconnect the water-level hose from the tub. Once you remove the hose you can remove the tub completely from the washer cabinet.

Replacing The Bearing

• When you remove the washer drum from the housing cabinet replace the drum bearing. However, you must first remove the old bearing. Put on work gloves and set your hand on top of the bearing located inside the tub. Apply pressure to the bearing with your hand until the old bearing pops out. Clean any debris from the inside and outside of the tub. Add a thin layer of grease on the rubber part of the new bearing. The new bearing is now ready to be installed. Insert the new bearing into the hole at the exterior of the washer tub. You have to push and twist the new bearing until it fits flush against the tub. Once the new bearing is installed, reassemble the Maytag washing machine.